The Kerala pavilion  has bagged the best stand award at the World Travel Market 2011, in London. Kerala Tourism, which set up the huge pavilion spread over 117 sqm on the theme of ‘backwater with Chinese fishing net,’ won the prize in the category of Best Stand Feature. ‘

`This simple stand proved eye-catching for the judges thanks to a couple of features. A huge image of a Kerala backwater covering one wall was enhanced by a real-life fishing net stretching out into the stand as well as a canoe. The image told the story of the destination perfectly,’’ according to the statement by the award jury.

The pavilion was conceived and designed by Stark Communications Pvt Ltd. The pavilion by Kerala is the biggest of the kind by any State from India at the four-day WTM which started on November 7. Kerala Tourism is the lone State destination to win the best stand award while all other winners were national boards and international destinations. ‘

’We are glad that we could present a slice of Kerala through this pavilion. We are conveying to the world that it is just a tiny glimpse of the beauty that our State has. It is a recognition for our efforts and big push to our future endeavours on the marketing front,’’ said Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar, who is leading the Kerala contingent at the event. ‘’We are overwhelmed by the response received at the fair. The simple, classy stand was a major crowd-puller and gave the business visitors an endearing taste of God’s Own Country,’’ said Tourism Secretary T K Manoj Kumar after receiving the award.